The labels that appear along the category scale (usually along the x-axis) of most graphs represent category names. There will be one for each category of data in your graph. You can change these labels by editing your category names in the Data Editor (refer to "Specifying Names for Columns and Rows of Data").

Note: Pie, X-Y, and Time Plot graphs do not have a category scale.

Using the Bottom Scale Properties, you can perform the following actions on a category scale:

Adding or Removing Scale Labels

To add or remove the bottom scale labels

Changing Font and Color

You can change the font style and color for your scale labels.

To change the scale label font

Automatic Label Adjustments

A graph can have a virtually infinite number of categories within it. Unfortunately, there may not be enough room to properly display labels for all of your data categories. When this happens, PopChart+OptiMap employs tries to find a way to display as many labels as possible while still maintaining readability. To do this PopChart+OptiMap employs an algorithm known as automatic label adjustment.

PopChart+OptiMap lets you control this algorithm by checking or unchecking various rules and actions for what PopChart+OptiMap should do when category labels overlap. These rules and actions can be found in the Label tab of the Properties > Bottom Scale Properties dialog.

When overlap occurs, PopChart+OptiMap tries to get rid of overlap by applying the highest (closest to the top of the pane) checked rule. If that doesn't work, it attempts to apply the next checked rule, and so on, until it has exhausted its options.

Once it has exhausted all of its options, it then tries all of the various combinations of rules, beginning with the first and second rule, then the first and third rule, and so on until it finds a combination that works.

The list below explains the meaning of each rule or action.

Wrap Text To Max Number of Lines

When selected, the text in the scale label will be wrapped to the specified number of lines (if needed).

Shrink Font To

This rule applies only when As Needed has been selected. If this rule is applied, PopChart+OptiMap will attempt to shrink the font of the scale labels down to the font point size specified in the box to the right of this option.

Stagger Labels

This rule applies only when As Needed has been selected. If this rule is applied, PopChart+OptiMap will attempt to stagger the labels so that every other one appears on an alternate level.

Rotate Labels

If this rule is applied, PopChart+OptiMap will rotate the scale labels by the specified number of degrees. This will usually significantly decrease the vertical size of the graph, unless Limit Label Character Length has been enabled or Keep text and ticks Within Graph Bounds has been unchecked in the Graph Properties > General dialog pane (refer to "Keep Text and Ticks Within Graph Bounds").

Skip x Labels At a Time

This rule specifies that a certain number of labels should be skipped altogether. The bar, line, area, or plot point will still be shown for that category, but the scale label will not. The graph will use the number in the box to determine the increment between each shown bottom label. For example, if the value is 1, it will display every other label. If the value is 2, it will display every third label. If the value is 0, it will skip nothing.

Manual Label Adjustments

If PopChart+OptiMap's automatic label adjustments don't quite work as you want, you can always manually adjust your scale label layout.

Turning off Automatic Scale Adjustments

Some of the options discussed in this section can be used in addition to automatic label adjustments, while others require you to turn off automatic scale adjustments.

To turn off automatic scale adjustments, select Properties > Bottom Scale Properties (For Horizontal Bar graphs, select Left Scale Properties. For Radar graphs, select Category Scale Properties). Then select Always from the Perform the following adjustments pull-down menu.

Warning: Disabling automatic scale adjustments in an appearance file may result in overlapped labels, illegible graphs, or unnecessary abbreviations. This is because manual scale label adjustments are always applied, regardless of whether or not the labels overlap.

Abbreviating Scale Labels

You can abbreviate your labels so that they are no longer than a specified number of characters. For example, December abbreviated to four characters will become Dec. (including the period mark).

You can abbreviate your labels both with automatic and manual label adjustments. To abbreviate your scale label, check the Limit Label Character Length box in the Labels tab of the Properties > Bottom Scale Properties dialog.

This option limits the character length of each scale (category) label to the number specified in the Max Length Horizontal Text box. If the label is longer, it will be truncated, with a period on the end. This period counts as part of the character length. So, for example, if the maximum length is 5, September becomes Sept.. If the label has been rotated, the value from the Max Length Rotated Text box will be used as the maximum label length.

Staggering Labels

You can stagger your labels so that each label alternates between a higher and lower level. This will create a somewhat larger label region to compensate for two levels of labels.

Staggering may occur when using automatic label adjustments. However, if you want your labels to be staggered no matter what, you should disable automatic label adjustments, as discussed in "Turning off Automatic Scale Adjustments". Then, make sure the Stagger Labels box is checked.

Rotating Labels

By default, your labels are horizontal. You can rotate your labels so that they are at an angle or even vertical. This will create a somewhat larger label region to compensate for the rotated text.

Rotation may occur when using automatic label adjustments. However, if you want your labels to be rotated no matter what, you should disable automatic label adjustments, as discussed in "Turning off Automatic Scale Adjustments". Then, make sure the Rotate box is checked, and that you have specified the number of degrees to rotate the label in the pull-down menu.

Skipping Labels

You can have PopChart+OptiMap skip a certain number of category labels, so that it is displaying every other category name, or every third category name, and so on.

The bar, line, area, or plot point will still be shown for that category, but the scale label will not. The graph will use the number in the box to determine the increment between each shown bottom label. For example, if the value is 1, it will display every other label. If the value is 2, it will display every third label. If the value is 0, it will skip nothing.

Label skipping may occur when using automatic label adjustments. However, if you want your labels to be skipped no matter what, you should disable automatic label adjustments, as discussed in "Turning off Automatic Scale Adjustments". Then, make sure the Skip ... Labels at a Time box is checked with the appropriate number entered in the accompanying text box.

Skipping the First Label(S)

In some cases, you may want to skip the first one or two category labels.

To do this, open the Properties > Bottom Scale Properties dialog. Then, in the Labels tab, enter a value in the First label to be displayed box. This specifies the first category scale label that will actually be shown.

This adjustment may be applied to both automatically and manually adjusted labels.